Notice of Recent Publications [pp. 443-477]

Notices of?ecent Publications.
try and perseverance, fertile in enterprise and resource. With these
noble, manly qualities, were combined an almost womanly sympathy
and tenderness. Seldom does a higher and truier man appear. No
interest or institution confided to him suffered for lack of heroic labors
and sacrifices to build it up. Indeed their very origination and continuance were often due to a matchless energy and sleepless vigilance
on his part, which not only kept themn alive, but even prosperous,
when in weaker hands they would have become extinct. La Fayette
College, now an assured and grand success, notwithstanding its obligations to its present able head, is still more a monument of Dr. Junkin's untiring and heroic toils. And we have always observed that
those in closest relations with Dr. Junkin, whether as students or
faculty, cherished the most ardent affection for him, such as generous
and high-souled natures alone can inspire. Their view of him was
quite the reverse of that of multitudes who, without personal knowledge of him, judged him an odious heresy-hunter, an unfeeling prosecutor of Mr. Barnes. But all parties, however differing with Dr. Junkin as to the propriety of this measure, accorded to him the credit of
a most upright and Christian spirit therein. The Presbytery which
acquitted and were in sympathy with Mr. Barnes, judged that "the
Christian spirit manifested by the prosecutor during the trial renders
it inexpedient to inflict any censure upon him." And Mr. Barnes has
put it on record, "I have only to add that I cherish no unkind
feelings towards the prosecutor. I charge upon him no improper
motives, I delight to add my humble testimony, in accordance with
the feelings of all who have heard the trial, to his Christian spirit; and
I rejoice to close by saying that my conviction of the piety and
Christian temper of the prosecutor has been augmenting throughout
the entire prosecution."
In regard to the controversies, polemics, and measures which ultimated in disruption, the whole case is presented at length by the
biographer. Doubtless those will not be wanting who will censure
this part of the book as a needless and gratuitous raking up of the
expiring embers of past conflicts, and reopening of wounds healed by
the Reunion. We do not so regard it. No true biography of Dr.
Junkin could have been written which failed to emphasize and explain
those most momentous public acts of his life. Nor can the truth of
history be known, or the materials for a future adequate history be
secured, except as the part taken by leading actors in it is rightly recorded from their own stand-point. So long as this is done with
candor, fidelity, and charity, good and not evil will come of it. All
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1871.]